246 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 
pools and secluded river and lake margins, close to 
which it delights to make its nest and rear its young. 
The engraving represents a beautiful bird, but one not 
familiar with these ducks would hardly credit the .cor- 
rectness of an accurate description of its colors. The 
bill and legs are red, the dark feathers of the-head ex- 
hibit gorgeous steel-blue, coppery and green iridescence, 
and in some lights are jetty, velvety black, or purple. 
The white feathers on the head and neck, in the queuc- 
like tuft of the back of head, and on the shoulders, wing 
covers and sides are all clear, vivid dashes in every case 
contrasted with black bands or bordering of dark, nearly 
black feathers. ‘The back shows the brilliant rainbow 
hues and metallic colors of the head, while the breast is 
of a delicate wine color, spotted with white, and the 
belly white, shading into ash-color on the sides. These 
colors belong to the drakes ; the ducks are similar, but 
much less showy. In Pennsylvania and northward they 
pair in April or May, and the female brings off her brood 
of eight to fifteen in June. They migrate just before 
winter sets in and are very likely to return to the same 
locality. The flesh of the young birds are highly es- 
teemed. During the winter they go into the Southern 
States, and are there seen in large flocks. 
This duck has been repeatedly domesticated, so as to 
be as familiar as any denizens of the farm yard. ‘The 
best way to get them is to find the nests, which are usu- 
ally ina hollow tree not far from the water (they use 
an old woodpeckev’s or gray squirrel’s hole if they can 
find one big enough), and transfer the fresh eggs toa 
sitting hen, or else take the very young ducks as soon as 
they are hatched. 
